Udupi: Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Matt, who surprised may announcing to contest Assembly elections, filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Udupi Constituency on April 21.

After offering prayers at Sri Mahishamardini Temple, Kadiyali near here, he and his followers proceeded towards Bannanje in a procession to file nomination papers.

Speaking to the media, the pontiff said that he had expected a ticket to contest in the election from the BJP, but was denied. So, he went ahead and filed nominations as an independent candidate, as he had promised earlier.

“Even though I didn’t get the ticket, I will support Narendra Modi as well as Amit Shah. I am confident of winning the election with people’s support”, he said. He further clarified that he was not the member of BJP, but he has been a supporter of the BJP for the past 40 years and will continue to do so.